Mark Hacking accused in wife’s murder; no plea talks planned

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SALT LAKE CITY — Mark Hacking, accused of killing his wife while she slept and dumping her body in the trash, waived a preliminary hearing Thursday, acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to try him for murder.

There have been no plea negotiations, Deputy Salt Lake County District Attorney Robert Stott said.

Hacking, a 28-year-old former hospital orderly, appeared in handcuffs for the brief hearing attended by most of his family and his wife’s father.

Authorities believe Lori Hacking was killed in July after learning that her husband was not enrolled in medical school in North Carolina, even though they were packing to move there.

Stott said he was prepared to prosecute Hacking for murder without a body or weapon, based on other evidence and Mark Hacking’s alleged confession to his brothers. “We would hope he wouldn’t lie to his brothers,” Stott said.

Hacking’s lawyer, Gil Athay, did not speak to reporters as he left the courtroom.

Hacking is also charged with obstructing justice, accused of throwing his wife’s body, the gun and a bloody mattress in separate trash bins. He remains jailed on the murder charge, unable to raise $1 million bail.

Volunteers last week resumed searching part of a landfill for Lori Hacking’s body amid 4,600 tons of trash. Her husband reported her missing on July 19.

Another hearing was scheduled for Oct. 29, when a trial date could be set.